Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Florida Manatee Hugging Facebook Photos Result In Arrest

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Florida -- Facebook photos of a man hugging a Florida manatee have resulted in the man's arrest.

Investigators with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) filed charges against 21-year-old Ryan William Waterman of Fort Pierce, Florida for allegedly harassing or disturbing a manatee calf in Taylor Creek in St. Lucie County in
January.

FWC investigators received a tip from a citizen regarding pictures
that Waterman had posted on Facebook. The pictures show Waterman and two
young children petting a manatee calf. They also show Waterman lifting
the calf partially out of the water. One image even shows a child
sitting on top of the manatee.

The state attorney agreed with the charges filed by FWC investigators, and a warrant was issued for Waterman’s arrest. He was booked into the St. Lucie County Jail on Sunday.

The Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act stipulates that it is illegal to
injure, harm, harass, capture or attempt to capture a Florida manatee.

An interaction that may seem harmless and innocent may ultimately have serious consequences for manatees and other wildlife.

“This was a young manatee which was likely still dependent on its
mother for food and protection,” said FWC manatee biologist Dr. Thomas
Reinert. “Separating the two could have severe consequences for the
calf.”

“The calf also appeared to be experiencing manatee cold-stress
syndrome, a condition that can lead to death in extreme cases,” said
Reinert. “Taking the calf out of the water may have worsened its
situation.”

“This investigation is an example of our commitment to carry out our
mission to protect Florida’s natural resources and people through
proactive and responsive law enforcement services,” said FWC Lt. Chris
Harris. “It also demonstrates our efforts to work with federal partners,
the general public and the State Attorney’s office to achieve this
goal.”

The FWC asks anyone who witnesses manatee harassment or finds a dead
or distressed manatee to please call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at
888-404-FWCC (3922).